The Gift of the Christmas Cookie: Sharing the True Meaning of Jesus' Birth
What’s inside...
During the Great Depression, Jack helps his mother make cookies for the needy at their church. While baking, his mother shares the legend of the Christmas cookie, explaining how the first Christmas cookies were used to spread the gospel to illiterate people. Inspired by the story, Jack finds a way to bring that story to life and learns the importance of giving gifts from the heart that last forever.
Age
4-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Jack
Jack's Mother
Discussion points
What do you think cookies have to do with celebrating Christmas and the story of Jesus' birth?
Why do you think giving is an important part of the Christmas season?
How do you feel when you give something special to someone else?
Can you think of a time when someone shared something special with you? How did that make you feel?
What are some ways we can share the Christmas spirit with others around us?
Tip: Role play these questions
Listen attentively and validate your child's feelings and thoughts as they respond to each question, fostering a safe space for expression.
Encourage your child to think deeply about the themes of giving and sharing by asking them to consider how these themes appear in their own lives.
Use examples from the book to illustrate the impact of kindness and generosity, helping your child connect the story to real-world scenarios.
Promote empathy by discussing the emotions of the characters in the book and relating them to personal experiences your child might have had.
Encourage creativity by asking your child to think of their own ways to share and give during the Christmas season, showing that the themes of the book can be put into action.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Generosity
Explanation: The story showcases characters sharing Christmas cookies and the story of Jesus' birth, highlighting the importance of giving to others.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to share their belongings and time with others, fostering a giving spirit from a young age.
Example Lesson: The spirit of Christmas
Explanation: Through the tradition of making and sharing Christmas cookies, the book connects the festivity with teaching the religious story of Jesus, emphasizing that Christmas is more than just receiving gifts.
Real-World Application: Kids can be encouraged to participate in family traditions and understand the deeper meanings of holidays and celebrations.
Example Lesson: Kindness and compassion
Explanation: Characters in the book demonstrate kindness by sharing cookies and stories with each other, even in hard times.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to act kindly and compassionately towards others, regardless of their own circumstances.
Example Lesson: History and culture
Explanation: The book ties in the historic Christian tradition of Christmas, offering children insights into cultural practices and their origins.
Real-World Application: Children learn to respect and appreciate diverse cultural traditions and understand their historical contexts.
Example Lesson: Faith and its expressions
Explanation: The book illustrates how faith can be expressed through simple acts of generosity and storytelling, relating back to Christian teachings.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to explore and express their own faith or beliefs through acts of kindness and sharing narratives.